Should The Capitals Trade Down For A Defenseman In The 2024 NHL Draft?
By CJ Witt
The Washington Capitals need to start focusing on life after their star players. We all know about the age of Alex Ovechkin. Before next season starts he'll be 39-years-old. There are reports or rumors that after his current contract runs out in 2026 he is done in Washington. The Caps need to be prepared for life after the greatest goal scorer.
Another guy who is getting up there in age is defenseman John Carlson. If you go by points Carlson is easily the best defenseman in Capitals history. His 674 points (and counting) are two hundred more than second place, that being Calle Johansson. His 151 goals are also first, two more than Kevin Hatcher at 149.
Carlson will be turning 35 in the middle of next season. How many good seasons does he have left? More importantly, do they have his future replacement? I would say no, they don't.
Some people will argue that the Capitals should maybe trade up in this years draft to select a defenseman. But should they do the opposite? Should they trade down to get a defenseman instead?
Just because you trade up that does not mean the defenseman you take is going to be any better. You want a good example of a great defenseman taken late in the first round? How about John Carlson? He was selected 27th overall in 2008. A great player can come from anywhere, you don't need to trade up to get one. While there are some good defensemen in this draft, there doesn't seem to be any slam dunks either. Save your assets don't reach for something that isn't a near slam dunk.
There are a couple of nice defensemen who have some higher upside who will likely be available, not only late in the first round but potentially early in the second round. Why not trade down and maybe grab one of them? But who?
I want to point out the same thing I did earlier when talking about who the Capitals should take at pick number 17. I am not a prospects expert. I have done some reading about these prospects, that's it. I highly encourage you to click on the links that we will give you here so you can read about these prospects from people who know a lot more than me. I am simply here to give you some names to keep an eye on.
With that being said, lets take a look at a few lower ranked defensemen the Capitals might want to look at.